Plain-language ABA terminology.

The science of applying learning principles to socially significant behavior — most commonly used in autism services.

Reinforcement produced directly by the behavior itself, without another person delivering it.

A stimulus in the presence of which a behavior has been reinforced, signaling reinforcement is available.

Environmental variable that alters the value of a reinforcer and the behavior that produces it.

Removing or postponing an aversive stimulus following a behavior, which increases that behavior.

Learning process in which behavior is shaped by its consequences — reinforcement and punishment.

Using a high-probability behavior as reinforcement for a low-probability behavior.

Any consequence that decreases the future frequency of the behavior it follows.

Any consequence that increases the future frequency of the behavior it follows.

Learning process in which a neutral stimulus comes to elicit a reflexive response through pairing.

When the rate or form of a behavior is reliably influenced by the presence of a particular stimulus.

The basic unit of analysis in ABA: antecedent, behavior, and consequence.

Bachelor's-level ABA credential authorized to deliver and supervise services under BCBA oversight.

Master's-level ABA credential for independent case ownership, supervision, and treatment plan authorship.

Paraprofessional credential for direct ABA implementation under BCaBA or BCBA supervision.

Descriptive recording of what happens before a behavior, the behavior itself, and what happens after.

Measurement of a behavior before intervention, used as the comparison for treatment effects.

Measuring the total elapsed time a behavior occurs within an observation period.

Counting each occurrence of a behavior within an observation period.

Percentage of agreement between two independent observers scoring the same behavior.

Measuring the time between a cue and the start of a behavior.

Scoring whether a behavior is occurring at the exact moment an interval ends.

Definition of a behavior in observable, measurable terms with examples and non-examples.

Scoring a behavior as occurring if it happens at any point during an interval.

A grid recording when a behavior occurs across times of day to reveal temporal patterns.

The number of trials a learner needs to reach a mastery criterion for a skill.

Scoring a behavior as occurring only if it happens for the entire interval.

Written plan that prescribes antecedent strategies, replacement behaviors, and response procedures for a target behavior.

Delivering several easy requests before a difficult one to increase compliance.

Teaching a behavior chain by linking the individual steps of a task analysis.

Family of procedures that reinforce one response class while withholding reinforcement for another.

Highly structured teaching format with clear instruction, prompted response, and immediate consequence.

Teaching method that prompts the correct response immediately to prevent error patterns.

Discontinuing the reinforcement that previously maintained a behavior.

A temporary increase in a behavior's frequency, intensity, or duration when extinction begins.

Teaching a communication response that serves the same function as a problem behavior.

Performance of a learned response under conditions different from those in training.

Replicating a modeled behavior; a foundational learner skill that enables observational learning.

A naturalistic procedure that uses the learner's initiations as teaching opportunities.

Continued performance of a previously mastered skill after instruction has thinned or stopped.

Teaching that embeds learning targets into the client's preferred activities and routines.

Delivering a reinforcer on a fixed schedule regardless of behavior, to reduce motivation for problem behavior.

Process of associating yourself or the environment with reinforcement before placing demands.

Supplementary cues that occasion a correct response, faded systematically over time.

Removing a specified amount of reinforcer contingent on problem behavior.

Reinforcing successive approximations toward a target behavior.

Breaking a complex skill into a sequence of smaller, teachable steps.

Removing access to reinforcement for a brief period contingent on problem behavior.

Reinforcement system in which conditioned reinforcers are exchanged for backup reinforcers.

Teaching a skill by having the learner watch a video of the behavior performed correctly.

Verbal operant where the response duplicates the verbal stimulus — vocal imitation.

Verbal operant controlled by other verbal behavior without point-to-point correspondence — conversation.

Responding appropriately to the verbal behavior of others — following instructions and selecting named items.

Verbal operant under the control of motivating operations — the technical term for a request.

Verbal operant under the control of a non-verbal stimulus — the technical term for labeling.

A criterion-referenced assessment and curriculum guide covering language, academic, self-help, and motor skills.

Experimental method for confirming the function of a behavior by manipulating conditions.

Process for identifying the function of a target behavior using indirect, descriptive, and experimental methods.

A structured procedure for identifying items or activities likely to function as reinforcers.

The extent to which an intervention's goals, procedures, and outcomes are acceptable and meaningful to stakeholders.

A criterion-referenced assessment of language and learning milestones based on Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior.

CPT code for behavior identification assessment — the BCBA's assessment and treatment-plan development time, billed in 15-minute units.

Direct ABA treatment delivered by a technician under a written protocol, billed in 15-minute units.

CPT code for protocol modification — the BCBA adjusting the treatment protocol, often while directing a technician.

CPT code for family and caregiver training — guiding caregivers to implement strategies, billed in 15-minute units.

The payer standard that a service is reasonable and necessary to address a diagnosed condition.

A periodic report summarizing progress on each goal to support continued authorization.

Documentation format with Subjective, Objective, Assessment, and Plan sections.

The degree to which an intervention is implemented as designed.

The written clinical plan defining a client's goals, procedures, and measurement for an authorization period.

A HIPAA-required contract between a covered entity and a vendor that handles protected health information.

A payer's recovery of money already paid for claims later found unsupported by documentation.

Federal law setting standards for the privacy and security of protected health information.

Payer approval that must be obtained before ABA services are delivered and reimbursed.

Individually identifiable health information protected under HIPAA.